Marijuana
Stronger

Menstuff® has compiled the following information on the
increased strength of Marijuana.

Marijuana sold in U.S. stronger than ever

Rise in medical emergencies from what government expert calls 'Pot
2.0'

The marijuana being sold across the United States is stronger than
ever, which could explain a growing number of medical emergencies
that involve the drug, government drug experts Wednesday.

Analysis of seized samples of marijuana and hashish showed that
more of the cannabis on the market is of the strongest grade, the
White House and National Institute for Drug Abuse said.

They cited data from the University of Mississippis
Marijuana Potency Project showing the average levels of THC, the
active ingredient in marijuana, in the products rose from 7 percent
in 2003 to 8.5 percent in 2006.

National Institute on Drug Abuse Director Dr. Nora Volkow fears
the problem is not being taken seriously because many adults remember
the marijuana of their youth as harmless.

Its really not the same type of marijuana,
Volkow said in a telephone interview.

This could explain why there has been an increase in the
number of medical emergencies involving marijuana.

The pharmacy department at Mississippi has compiled data on 59,369
samples of cannabis, 1,225 hashish samples, and 443 hash oil samples
confiscated since 1975. The highest concentration of (THC)
found in a cannabis (marijuana) sample is 33.12 percent from Oregon
State Police, the report reads.

'This is Pot 2.0'

Hashish and hash oil concentrations are far higher, as they
consist of processed plant product.

Researchers and treatment experts have argued for some time
that todays more powerful marijuana has more harmful effects on
users. This report underscores that we are no longer talking about
the drug of the 1960s and 1970s  this is Pot 2.0, John
Walters, director of National Drug Control Policy, said in a
statement.

Volkow said demand has driven growers to cultivate the stronger
stuff. It is the market, she said. Like in the
market you favor the best tomatoes. When people buy marijuana, they
dont want a weak cigarette.

Volkows institute has been studying the effects of cannabis,
whose active ingredients are very similar to important brain
chemicals called endogenous cannabinoids.

It clearly is addictive, she said.

If children and adolescents use marijuana, it could affect their
still-developing brains, she said.

The report said more than 60 percent of teens receiving treatment
for drug abuse or dependence report marijuana as their primary drug
of abuse.

Although the overall number of young people using marijuana
has declined in recent years, there is still reason for great
concern, particularly since roughly 60 percent of first-time
marijuana users are under 18 years old, Volkow said.